
Tight Back Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Reupholstered in Maharam wool
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool
Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them.
Bennett left home and school at the young age of 13. He found work in Manhattan’s Garment District, and within a few years, Bennett traveled to Europe on behalf of a clothing manufacturer to gather ideas for modern garments. He lived abroad as a young man, and when he returned to New York, during the early 1940s, he assisted fashion entrepreneur Hattie Carnegie as a window dresser.
Bennett would also go on to share a sculpture studio with artist Louise Nevelson. He ventured into the world of jewelry design, creating necklaces, bracelets and other pieces with Richard Pousette-Dart. The Whitney Museum of American Art exhibited his sculptures, and it wouldn’t be long before the Museum of Modern Art included Bennett’s personal adornments with accessories by the likes of Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia and Anni Albers in its 1946 “Modern Handmade Jewelry” show.
Bennett didn’t take the plunge into interior design work until he was 30 years old — his inaugural project was an apartment in Manhattan and his clients were family members. He had no formal training in architecture or decorating — and would ultimately design a mere handful of houses in his life — so for his inviting leather office chairs, marble-topped tables and sleek storage cabinets, Bennett relied only on what he learned in the fashion world. Soon, every time he redecorated his own home — an elaborate apartment comprising former maids’ quarters in New York City’s magnificent Dakota building — it earned splashy coverage in the newspapers.
Bennett’s client list eventually included David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Tiffany & Co., Sasaki, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, and others, and during the 1970s he became in-house designer for Brickel Associates, a role that would endure for more than two decades. His work is on permanent view at the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ward Bennett seating, decorative objects and more.

Fiftyish Wingback Leather Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. We also have another available with walnuts feet. Original leather with chrome legs. Extremely rare piece of design.
Leather

Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. This design by Pearsall is low profile and features a gently curved silhouette. Long and extreme...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut

12 Foot Dunbar Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Twelve feet long! Custom made Dunbar sofa designed by Edward Wormley. This was reupholstered 10 years ago and has seen very little use since. We have refinished the base since these ...
Upholstery, Mahogany

Original Sofa by Gigi RADICE for MINOTTI, 1960s
By Gigi Radice
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The classic sofa, designed by Radice in the 1960s using a wooden construction with four conical brass feet. The sofa has been re-upholstered in fine gray wool material. Gigi Radice...
Brass

Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Westport, CT
Indulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century. Meticulously restored to its ...
Bouclé, Maple
Grande Divano Curvo Boomerang Sofa, After Gio Ponti, C. 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Culver City, CA
This has to be one of the most beautiful sofas our gallery has ever had. This piece is early Italian1950's. Similar to pieces by Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi and Vladimir Kagan this large curved sofa features walnut legs and has been reupholstered in a fine, white, Belgian boucle. The boomerang-shaped sofa is a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of Italian design. Italian modern design is known for its clean lines, bold shapes, and exquisite attention to detail, making them timeless pieces of art that have stood the test of time. This particular sofa, is a stunning piece that exudes elegance and sophistication. The unique boomerang shape of the sofa is both stylish and practical, as it offers a comfortable seating experience while also being a visually striking addition to any room. The sofa is upholstered in a white Belgian boucle fabric, which adds to its luxurious appeal and complements its sleek design. This boomerang shaped sofa measures 90" long on the longer side, and 75" long on the shorter side. This gorgeous sofa could fit into a corner, but hiding those 9 splayed cone legs, and curved back lines wouldn't quite do this sofa justice. This vintage Italian piece is constructed with the highest level of quality. This sofa in particular has 8 way hand tied springs, the seating cushion has springs, the stuffing all horsehair and the upholstery was a worn mohair. We have remarkable photos documenting sofa before and during restoration. While Gio Ponti is regarded as one of the most significant Italian designers; his contemporaries, such as Achille Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti, and Ettore Sottsass, also contributed to the world of Italian design. Castiglioni, for instance, was known for his playful and functional designs, while Magistretti was renowned for his minimalist aesthetic. Sottsass, on the other hand, was a pioneer of the Memphis Group, which was known for its bold and colorful designs. We currently have this sofa in the gallery alongside a pair of Jean Royere chairs...
Bouclé, Walnut